Tintol, 155 W. 46th St.; 212-354-3838; tintol.net; tapas $5 to $15.50. Dark and narrow, this brick-walled tapas joint looks like something in a Madrid alley, not off Times Square. Cured meats, charred octoÂ­pus, and chorizo doused with grappa and set aflame at the table are terrific nibbles before a show or after (it’s open until midnight).

Jean Georges and Nougatine, 1 CenÂ­tral Park West; 212-299-3900; jean-georges.com. The luxe tasting menu is $125 and a four-course menu $95 at the gastronomic temple Jean Georges. But dine at the more casual, walk-in-friendly Nougatine—the terrazzo-floored room you walk through to get to JG—and plates like wine-and-soy-glazed veal and pork chop with spring onion are $19 to $38. The food is simpler than at Jean Georges, but the sensation of eating in a glass jewel box overlooking Central Park is the same.

Russ & Daughters, 179 E. Houston St.; 212-475-4880; russanddaughters.com. New Yorkers often argue about the best place for a bagel and smoked salmon (or sable or sturgeon). We line up for the marvelous varieties at this nearly century-old market.

Nowhere but New York can you find so many eateries obsessed with one food. Peanut Butter & Co. (240 Sullivan St.; 212-677-3995; ilovepeanutbutter.com) offers the crunchy or creamy spread in sandwiches, desserts, and milkshakes. Pommes Frites (123 Second Ave.; 212-674-1234; pommesfrites.ws) lets you dunk Belgian-style fries into sauces such as Vietnamese pineapple mayonnaise or hot chili paste. The new S’Mac (345 E. 12th St.; 212-358-7912; smacnyc.com) is devoted to mac ’n’ cheese, with versions laden with brie and figs or GruyÃ¨re and bacon.